Southgate woman Sacha Corcoran has gone from a homeless teenage mother to an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honour's List

From a homeless teenage parent to being named on the Queen’s New Year Honours List, an Enfield woman has capped her transformation in style.

Sacha Corcoran, of Oakfield Road in Southgate, was 15 and living in a homeless hostel as an expectant mother.

Now, the mother-of-two has become an MBE for her services to education as a deputy director for learners and partnerships at City and Islington College.

The 43-year-old has also done a lot of work with one parent family charity Gingerbread, and spoke about her long road to success.

She said: “At 16 my life could have gone either two ways, I could have given up but instead I strived to improve my life I have come a long way since then.

“I can now look back at those who had given up on me and be extremely proud of what I have achieved.”

Ms Crocoran has been in the skills sector for nearly 20 years and her current role at the college supports students through their time in education.

She added: “Working with the most wonderful inspirational young people who inspire me every day and seeing them succeed is the biggest reward, however the MBE is a close second.

“Many of the people I work with don’t think I know what they are going through but when I tell them about my story, they are spurred on to achieve the best they can.”

In 2007, the Southgate woman won Britain’s Most Exceptional Working Mother after being nominated by her son and Ms Corcoran believes that her latest success can give greater inspiration to the people she works with.

She said: “Receiving an MBE is a huge honour and I hope that I can use this award as a platform to inspire the young people I work with even more so they can achieved their goals.”

City and Islington College principal Frank McLoughlin said: “This is a fantastic recognition of the many years of hard work and dedication that Sacha has given to the further education sector. Sacha has been an inspiration to staff and students alike during her time at the college, and we are very proud of her achievement.”

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